Embodiments of an electrostatic loudspeaker utilize first and second stators and a diaphragm disposed therebetween, each of the stators and the diaphragm having an electrically conductive portion, wherein the conductive portions of the first stators are electrically coupled to each other; the conductive portions of the second stators are electrically coupled to each other; and the conductive portions of the diaphragms are electrically isolated from each other. The first stators and the second stators may be realized by common first and second stators may be mounted obliquely with respect to one another, so as to achieve differentially greater spacing between stators of the first one of the speaker elements than between stators of the second one of the speaker elements. Protective circuitry is also provided.